Tissue repair device

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a tissue repair device. The device includes a handle, a knob coupled to the handle, and a needle coupled to the handle. The needle includes a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a slot, wherein a first anchor is housed within the distal end and a second anchor is housed within the slot and located proximal to the first anchor. An actuator disposed within the needle and operatively coupled to the knob, wherein advancement of the knob allows for engagement of the actuator with the first anchor and subsequent advancement of the first anchor via the actuator. A method of tissue repair is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/623,930, filed Nov. 23, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Nos. 61/255,995, filed Oct. 29, 2009; 61/166,907, filed Apr. 6, 2009; and, 61/117,987, filed Nov. 26, 2008, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Field of Technology

The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for repairing tissue.

Related Art

Areas in the body where tissue can be surgically reattached to bone or can be surgically repaired when a tear forms in the tissue include, but are not limited to, the biceps tendon, the lateral collateral ligament in the knee, the medial collateral ligament in the knee, the meniscus in the knee, the popliteal ligament in the leg, and the labrum tendon in the knee.

Fibrous tissue wounds, such as muscle, ligament, and meniscal tears, can be repaired arthroscopically using sutures. Traditionally, to close a fibrous tissue wound, a surgeon would insert two suture needles into the tissue with sutures attached, thread the sutures across the wound, and then tie knots to fix the free ends of the sutures within the tissue.

To simplify the wound closure and to improve fixation, various types of devices, and tools for use in delivering the devices, have been developed. One example of a device is the FAST-FIX™ device, which is designed to repair tears in soft tissue, such as the meniscus. This device, and other devices for use in wound closure, is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,312, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0130694, U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2005/0283192, and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0033363, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a tissue repair device. The device includes a handle having a knob coupled to the handle, a needle coupled to the handle, the needle including a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a slot, wherein a first anchor is housed within the distal end and a second anchor is housed within the slot and located proximal to the first anchor, and an actuator disposed within the needle and operatively coupled to the knob, wherein advancement of the knob allows for engagement of the actuator with the first anchor and subsequent advancement of the first anchor via the actuator.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of tissue repair. The repair includes providing a tissue repair device comprising a handle, a knob coupled to the handle, a needle coupled to the handle, a first anchor and a second anchor coupled to the needle, the first anchor coupled to the second anchor via a flexible member, and an actuator disposed within the needle and operatively coupled to the knob; inserting the needle through tissue, the tissue including a tear, the needle being inserted through the tissue on one side of the tear; advancing the knob of the device to engage the actuator with the first anchor and advance the first anchor out of the needle; removing the needle from the tissue and re-inserting the needle through the tissue on an opposite side of the tear; advancing the knob of the device to engage the actuator with the second anchor and advance the second anchor out of the needle; and removing the needle from the tissue and reducing a length of the flexible member between the first and second anchor to bring sides of the tear into juxtaposition.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the written description serve to explain the principles, characteristics, and features of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the tissue repair device of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the tissue repair device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the handle of the tissue repair device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the tissue repair device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows another cross sectional view of the tissue repair device of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6A-6B show a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of the distal end of the needle of the tissue repair device of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 7A-7E show a method of tissue repair via use of the tissue repair device of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8A-8B show advancement of the knob of the tissue repair device of FIG. 1 during the method of tissue repair.

FIG. 9A shows a perspective view of an a second embodiment of the tissue repair device of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9B shows a side view of the tissue repair device of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C shows a cross-sectional side view of the tissue repair device of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of the handle of the tissue repair device of FIGS. 9A-9C.

FIG. 11A shows an isometric view of the knob of the tissue repair device of FIGS. 9A-9C.

FIG. 11B shows a cross-sectional view of the knob of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A shows all isometric view of the tubing of the tissue repair device of FIGS. 9A-9C.

FIG. 12B shows a cross-sectional view of the tubing of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13A shows an isometric view of the pusher assembly of the tissue repair device of FIGS. 9A-9C.

FIG. 13B shows an isometric view of the pusher assembly of the tissue repair device of FIGS. 9A-9C with the pusher disk and coiled spring.

FIG. 14 shows an isometric view of the distal end of the actuator of FIGS. 13A-13B.

FIG. 15 shows an isometric view of the pusher disk of the pusher assembly of FIG. 13B.

FIG. 16A shows an isometric view of the hub of the tissue repair device of FIGS. 9A-9C.

FIG. 16B shows an isometric view of a first part of the hub of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16C shows an isometric view of a second part of the hub of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17A shows an isometric view of the needle assembly of the tissue repair device of FIGS. 9A-9C.

FIG. 17B shows an isometric view of the distal end of the needle assembly of FIG. 17A.

FIGS. 18A-18B show isometric views of the distal end of the needle assembly of FIG. 9B with anchors and a transparent tube.

FIG. 19 shows an isometric view of a first anchor of the tissue repair device of FIGS. 9A-9C.

FIG. 20 shows a side view of a second anchor of the tissue repair device of FIGS. 9A-9C.

FIG. 21 shows an isometric view of the depth tube of the tissue repair device of FIGS. 9A-9C.

FIG. 22A shows an isometric view of the depth tube of FIG. 21 with the slider coupled to the depth tube and the hub.

FIG. 22B shows a side view of the slider, depth tube, and hub of FIG. 22A.

FIG. 23 shows an isometric view of the slider of FIG. 22A.

FIG. 24A shows an isometric view of the distal end of the tissue repair device of FIGS. 9A-9C with sutures.

FIG. 24B shows another isometric view of the distal end of the tissue repair device of FIG. 24A without sutures.

FIG. 24C shows a cross-sectional view of the distal end of the tissue repair device of FIGS. 9A-9C

FIG. 24D shows a cross-sectional view of the tissue repair device of FIGS. 9A-9C, specifically the pusher assembly prior to deployment of the first anchor.

FIG. 25 shows a cross-sectional view of the pusher assembly of the tissue repair device of the present disclosure during deployment of the first anchor.

FIG. 26A shows a cross-sectional view of the pusher disk after deployment of the first anchor.

FIG. 26B shows a cross-sectional view of the distal end of the tissue repair device of the present disclosure after deployment of the first anchor and prior to deployment of the second anchor.

FIGS. 27-30 show a method of tissue repair via use of the tissue repair device of FIGS. 9A-9C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses.

FIGS. 1-5 show a first embodiment the soft tissue repair device 10 of the present disclosure. The device 10 includes a handle 11 and a cannula 12 coupled to the handle 11. The handle 11 includes a body 11 a and a nose cone 11 b coupled to the body 11 a. The nose cone 11 b includes a

proximal end 11 b′ and a distal end 11 b″. The body 11 a includes a cavity 11 a′ and a J-shaped channel 13 (FIGS. 1 & 8A-8B). The channel 13 includes a first portion 13 a and a second portion 13 b. A pusher 14 is housed within the cavity 11 a′. The pusher 14 includes a body 14 a, a shaft 14 b coupled to the body 14 a, and a pin 14 c coupled to the body 14 a. The pin 14 c includes a distal portion 14 c′ that extends through the channel 13 and a proximal portion 14 c″ that is coupled to the body 14 a. In addition, the cavity 11 a′ includes a coil 15, wherein one end 15 a of the coil 15 is coupled to the pusher body 14 a and the other end 15 b of the coil 15 is coupled to the proximal end 11 b′ of the nose cone 11 b, as shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, a knob 16 is disposed on the body 11 a of the handle 11. The knob 16 includes an aperture 16 a that houses the distal portion 14 c′ of the pin 14 c. The coil 15, as shown in FIG. 3, is in a released position when the knob 16 is in a starting position and becomes compressed when the knob 16 is advanced toward the nose cone 11 b, as shown in FIGS. 4 & 5.

The cannula 12 includes a proximal end 12 a and a distal end 12 b. The proximal end 12 a is partially housed within a through hole 11 b′″ of the nose cone 11 b and includes areas of reduced diameter 12 a′. A needle 17 is disposed within the cannula 12 and includes a proximal end 17 a and a distal end 17 b. The proximal end 17 a is partially housed within the through hole 11 b′″ of the nose cone 11 b and the distal end 17 b includes a beveled, pointed tip 17 c and a slot 17 b′. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a first anchor 20 is housed within the distal end 17 b of the needle 17 and a second anchor 30 is housed within the slot 17 b′ and located proximal to the first anchor 20. The anchors 20,30 are coupled via a flexible member 40, such as a suture, that includes a slip knot 41 located between the anchors 20,30. The suture 40 is coupled to the anchors 20,30 and the slip knot 41 is formed via the methods described in the above incorporated US patents and published applications. A free end 42 extends from the slip knot 41 and the suture length between the anchors 20,30 is reduced upon pulling the free end 42 in one direction, but not in another direction, as will be further described below.

The distal end 17 b also includes laser marks 17 b″ that are used during repair to indicate the depth of the needle 17, as will be further described below. An actuator 18 is disposed within the needle 17 and includes a distal end 18 a engaged with the first anchor 20 and a proximal end 18 b coupled to the pusher shaft 14 b. A depth indicator 19 is disposed over the cannula 12 and the needle 17. The indicator 19 includes a proximal end 19 a and a distal end 19 b. The proximal end 19 a includes at least two tabs 19 a′ that engage the areas of reduced diameter 12 a′ and couple the indicator 19 to the cannula 12. Prior to repair, the indicator 19 is coupled to the cannula 12 such that the distal end 19 b covers the distal end 17 b of the needle 17. FIG. 6A shows the distal ends 17 b,19 b of the needle 17 and the indicator 19. As shown, the first anchor 20 is within the distal end 17 b of the needle 17 and the second anchor 30 is within the opening 17 b′, such that the actuator 18 is located below the second anchor 30 and the distal end 18 a is in engagement with the first anchor 20.

Referring to FIGS. 7A-7E, in use, preferably under arthroscopic guidance, the user inserts the device 10 into, for example, the knee joint, until the distal end 19 b of the indicator 19 is in contact with the superior surface of the meniscus 50, as shown in FIG. 7A. The indicator 19 is then moved proximally toward the nose cone 11 b to uncover the distal end 17 b of the needle 17, and determine the appropriate needle insertion depth, as shown in FIG. 7B. In practice, enough of the needle 17 should be exposed to allow for insertion of the needle 17 through the meniscus and subsequent delivery of the anchor 20, but not so much that the needle 17 will extend into areas behind the meniscus, such as neurovascular areas, where it could cause damage. Insertion of the end 17 b through the meniscus 50 occurs until the appropriate laser mark 17 b″ is reached and the knob 16 is then moved distally toward the nose cone 11 b to deploy the first anchor 20, as shown in FIG. 7C. Before deployment of the first anchor 20, the pin 14 c is located in the first portion 13 a of the channel 13, as shown in FIG. 8A. However, after deployment of the first anchor 20, the pin 14 c is located in the second portion 13 b of the channel 13, as shown in FIG. 8B.

Once the first anchor 20 has been deployed, the needle 17 is removed from the meniscus 50 and re-inserted across the tear 51, as shown in FIG. 7D. The knob 16 is, once again, moved distally toward the nose cone 11 b to deploy the second anchor 30. The device 10 is subsequently removed from the knee joint and the free end 42 is pulled in the direction of arrow 60. This shortens the length of suture between anchors 20,30, bringing sides of tear 51 into juxtaposition, as shown in FIG. 7E. Depending on the length of suture between anchors 20,30, the slip knot 41 will either be on the tissue surface or move within the tissue 50. Slip knot 41 allows the suture 40 to slide in the direction of arrow 61, but does not allow the suture 40 to slide in the opposite direction 60. The tension placed on suture 40 by pulling on the suture 40 relative to anchors 20,30 acts to turn the anchors 20,30 such that their long sides are in contact with tissue surface. Excess suture 40 can then be cut off. Further manipulation of suture 40 is not needed to secure anchors 20,30, although the surgeon may wish to provide additional fastening as a back-up securement measure.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the handle 11, nose cone 11 b, pusher 14, shaft 14 b, knob 16, actuator 18, cannula 12, and depth indicator 19 are of a non-metal material, but may be made from a metal material. In addition, the coil 15, pin 14 c, and needle 17 are of a biocompatible metal material, such as stainless steel. The anchors 20,30 and suture 40 are of a non-metal material, such as a polymer material, and may or may not be absorbable. The handle 11 and nose cone 11 b may be coupled via mechanical means, adhesive means, such as a non-toxic, biocompatible, adhesive glue, or other means known to one of skill in the art. In addition, the cannula 12 and needle 17 are coupled to the nose cone 11 b, the actuator 18 is coupled to the shaft 14 b, and the coil 15 is coupled to the nose cone 11 b and the pusher 14 via similar means. The device 10 and its components are all made via a method known to one of skill in the art.

FIGS. 9A-9C show an alternative embodiment of the soft tissue repair device 100 of the present disclosure. The components of the device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11A-11B, 12A-12B, 13A-13B, 14, 15, 16A-16C, 17A-17B, 18A-18B, 19, 20, 21A-21B, 22A-22B, and 23. The device 100 includes a handle 110 which, as shown in FIG. 10, includes a closed-ended proximal portion 110 a, an open distal portion 110 b, a cannulation 110 c, and an outer surface 110 d including holes 110 e on opposite sides of the handle 110. The purpose of the holes 110 e will be further described below. Disposed within the handle 110 is a knob 120. As shown in FIGS. 11A-11B, the knob 120 includes a shaft 121, a head 122 coupled to the shaft 121, and a cannulation 123. The head 122 includes a flange 122 a and a neck 122 b, both of which have a larger diameter than the shaft 121. The flange 122 a includes depressions 122 a′. The inner wall 122 c of the head 122 includes several grooves 122 c′. The shaft 121 includes an outer wall 121 a having slots 121 b and an inner wall 121 c. Coupled to the inner wall 121 c is a rod 121 d having a cannulation 121 d′. The cannulation 121 d′ has a “D” shape, such that a portion of the cannulation 121 d′ is flat and the rest of the cannulation is rounded. The rod 121 d includes a first portion 121 e and a second portion 121 f. The first portion 121 e includes a face 121 e′ having spikes 121 e″ and divots 121 e′″ located between the spikes 121 e″. An end 121 f′ of the second portion 121 f includes legs 121 g that extend between an outer surface 121 f″ of the second portion 121 f to an inner wall 121 c of the shaft 121.

Disposed within the cannulation 123 of the knob 120 and, therefore the handle 110, is a tubing 130. As shown in FIGS. 12A-12B, the tubing 130 includes a proximal portion 131, a distal portion 132, an outer surface 133, an inner surface 134, and a cannulation 135. The proximal portion 131 of the tubing 130 includes slots 136 that divide the proximal portion 131 into two sides 131 a,131 b. Both sides 131 a,131 b of the proximal portion 131 include tabs 137 that extend outward from the outer surface 133 of the tubing 130. When the tubing 130 is disposed within the handle 110, the tabs 137 are disposed within the holes 110 e of the handle 110, thereby coupling the tubing 130 to the handle 110. The distal portion 132 of the tubing 130 includes channels 132 a located on opposite sides of the distal portion 132. A hole 138 is located at an end 132 a′ of each channel 132 a. The purpose of the channels 132 a and the holes 138 will be further described below. The distal portion 132 also includes rails 139 and slots 132 b,132 c located between the rails 139. Slots 132 b,132 c both extend an entire length of the rails 139. However, slot 132 b includes two regions 132 b′,132 b″ having different depths, such that a stepped region 132 b′″ is present along the slot 132 b, as is more clearly shown in FIG. 12B.

Also disposed within the handle 110 is a pusher assembly 140. The pusher assembly 140 is shown in FIG. 13B. FIG. 13A shows the pusher assembly 140 without the coiled spring 150 or the pusher disk 160. The assembly 140 includes a shaft 141 and an actuator 142 coupled to the shaft 141. The shall 141 includes a proximal portion 141 a and a distal portion 141 b. The proximal portion 141 a includes a flat portion 141 a′, such that the proximal portion 141 a is in the shape of a “D”. As mentioned above, the cannulation 121 d′ of the rod 121 d also has a “D” shape. As is shown in FIG. 9C, the proximal portion 141 a of the shaft 141 is housed within the cannulation 121 d′ of the rod 121 d, such that the flat portions of the cannulation 121 d′ and the proximal portion 141 a are adjacent to each other, thereby coupling the pusher assembly 140 to the knob 120. As will be further described below, during operation, the “D” shapes of the cannulation 121 d′ and the proximal portion 141 a allow for axial movement of the proximal portion 141 a within the cannulation 121 d′ and restrict rotational movement of the proximal portion 141 a within the cannulation 121 d′.

The distal portion 141 b includes a flanged cap 141 c located on the distal portion 141 b and an inner channel 141 b′. The flanged cap 141 c includes a cap 141 c′ and a flange 141 c″. The flanged cap 141 c is located on the distal portion 141 b such that there is an area of reduced diameter 141 d located between the proximal portion 141 a and the flange 141 c″. The distal portion 141 b is configured for attachment of a pusher disk 160 as will be further described below with regard to FIG. 15.

The actuator 142 includes a proximal portion 142 a and a distal portion 142 b. The proximal portion 142 a is housed within the inner channel 141 b′, thereby coupling the actuator 142 to the shaft 141. As shown in FIG. 14, the distal portion 142 b of the actuator 142 includes a flat top portion 142 b′, a rounded bottom portion 142 b″, and a beveled end portion 142 b′″. The top portion 142 b′ and the end portion 142 b′″ are shaped to engage a tissue anchor, as will be further described below. A coiled spring 150 is disposed on the actuator 142 such that an end 150 a of the spring 150 rests against the cap 141 c′, as shown more clearly in FIG. 13B. As will be further described below, it is important that the end 150 a of the spring 150 rest against the cap 141 c′ rather than the pusher disk 160 so as to not restrict rotation of the pusher disk 160 during operation of the device 100.

As shown in FIG. 15, the pusher disk 160 includes a cannulation 161, a front portion 162, a back portion 163, an inner surface 164, and an outer surface 165. Protrusions 166 are located on the outer surface 165 of the disk 160. The cannulation 161 includes a first portion 161 a, a second portion 161 b, and a third portion 161 c. The second portion 161 b has a smaller diameter than both of the first and third portions 161 a,161 c, such that coupling of the pusher disk 160 to the distal portion 141 b results in the second portion 161 b being disposed within the area of reduced diameter 141 d. In addition, the first and third portions 161 a,161 c are of a diameter such that during operation of the device 100 the disk 160 is capable of rotating without restriction from either the flange 141 c″ or the proximal portion 141 a. The back portion 163 of the disk 160 includes spikes 163 a and divots 163 b located between the spikes 163 a. During operation of the device 100, the spikes 163 a and divots 163 b engage the spikes 121 e″ and divots 121 e′″ of the rod 121 d and the rails 139 of the tubing 130, as will be further described below. In addition, during operation, the protrusions 166 slide within the slots 132 b,132 c of the tubing 130, as will be further described below.

FIGS. 16A-16C show a two-part hub 170. The hub 170 includes a first part 171, as more clearly shown in FIG. 16B, and a second part 172, as more clearly shown in FIG. 16C. Both the first part 171 and the second part 172 include a first section 171 a,172 a and a second section 171 b,172 b. The first sections 171 a,172 a include a depression 171 a′,172 a′ and grooves 171 a″,172 a″. The second sections 171 b,172 b include a channel 171 b′,172 b′ and at least two bosses 171 b″,172 b″ located within each channel 171 b′,172 b′. The first part 171 also includes pins 171 c that, upon coupling of the first part 171 and the second part 172 to form the hub 170, are disposed within holes 172 e on the second part 172. Each part 171,172 also includes tabs 171 d, 172 d located on an outer surface 171 b′″,172 b′″ of the second sections 171 b,172 b. As shown in FIG. 9C, the second section 171 b,172 b is housed within the cannulation 135 of the tubing 130 such that the tabs 171 d,172 d are disposed within the holes 138 of the tubing 130, thereby coupling the hub 170 to the tubing 130.

FIGS. 17A and 17B show a needle assembly 180. The assembly 180 includes a disposal rod 181 and a needle 182 disposed within the rod 181. The rod 181 includes a proximal portion 181 a, a distal portion 181 b, and an inner channel 181 c. The proximal portion 181 a includes depressions 181 a′ on opposite sides of the proximal portion 181 a. As shown in FIG. 9C, the needle assembly 180 is disposed within the hub 170, such that the bosses 171 b″,172 b″ for both parts 171,172 are disposed within the depressions 181 a′, thereby coupling the assembly 180 to the hub 170. The distal portion 181 b includes a flange 181 b′. It is within the scope of this disclosure that the distal portion 181 b includes more than one flange 181 b′. The needle 182 includes a proximal portion (not shown) housed within the inner channel 181 c of the rod 181 and a distal portion 182 b including a beveled tip 182 b′, a slot 182 b″ extending from the beveled tip 182 b′ and including a front portion 182 d, a back portion 182 e, and two sides 182 f, and laser marks 182 b′″. The laser marks 182 b′″ are used during repair to indicate the depth of the needle 182, as will be further described below.

As shown in FIGS. 48A and 18B, anchors 190,1000, which are more clearly shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, are coupled to the distal portion 182 b of the needle 182. Both anchors 190,1000 include holes 190 a,1000 a and slots 190 b,1000 b. The second anchor 1000 includes channels 1000 c on opposite sides of the anchor 1000 and a protrusion 1010. The second anchor 1000 is coupled to the needle 182, such that the sides 182 f of the slot 182 b″ are housed within the channels 1000 c and the back portion 182 e of the slot 182 b″ is within slot 1000 b. Also shown in FIGS. 18A-18B is a cannulated, transparent tube 200. The tube 200 includes a proximal portion 200 a, which is disposed over the distal portion 181 b of the rod 181 such that the flange 181 b′ engages an inner wall 200 c of the tube 200, and a distal portion 200 b is disposed over the protrusion 1010 of the second anchor 1000. The protrusion 1010 allows for an increased amount of interference between the distal portion 200 b of the tube 200 and the anchor 1000 when the distal portion 200 b is disposed over the protrusion 1010 of the anchor 100. This increased amount of interference increases the retention of the anchor 1000 to the needle 182.

The actuator 142 is disposed within needle 182 such that the end portion 142 b′″ of the actuator 142 is located proximal to the first anchor 190 and distal to the second anchor 1000.

FIG. 21 shows a depth tube 300, which includes a first portion 300 a, a second portion 300 b, and a cannulation 300 c. As shown in FIGS. 1C and 22A-22B, a slider 400, which is more clearly shown in FIG. 23, is coupled to the depth tube 300 such that a shaft 401 of the slider 400 is housed within the second portion 300 b of the depth tube 300. The slider 400 includes the shaft 401, a housing 402 coupled to the shaft 401, and a cannulation 403. The shaft 401 includes a distal portion 401 a and a proximal portion 401 b having a diameter such that the shaft 401 engages an inner wall 300 b′ of the second portion 300 b, thereby coupling the slider 400 to the depth tube 300. The housing 402 includes a top portion 402 a, a bottom portion 402 b, and an opening 402 c. The top portion 402 a includes tabs 402 a′. As shown in FIG. 22B, the housing 402 is located within the hub 170 such that the tabs 402 a′ are located within the grooves 171 a″,172 a″. The needle assembly 180 is housed within the cannulation 300 c of the depth tube 300. Longitudinal movement of the depth tube 300 occurs via pressing on the top portion 402 a of the housing 402 in a direction towards the bottom portion 402 b, so as to remove the tabs 402 a′ from one of the grooves 171 a″,172 a″, moving the housing 402 longitudinally in a proximal direction towards or away from the handle 110, and then releasing the top portion 402 a such that the tabs 402 a′ are deposited into other one of the grooves 171 a″,172 a″.

As shown in FIG. 24A, the anchors 190,1000 are coupled via a flexible member 500, such as a suture, that includes a slip knot 501 located between the anchors 190,1000. The suture 500 is coupled to the anchors 190,1000 and the slip knot 501 is formed via the methods described in the above incorporated US patents and published applications. A free end 502 extends from the slip knot 501 and the suture length between the anchors 190,1000 is reduced upon pulling the free end 502 in one direction, but not in another direction, as will be further described below.

Referring to FIGS. 27-30, in use, preferably under arthroscopic guidance, the user inserts the device 100 into, for example, the knee joint, until the beveled tip 182 b′ of the needle 182 is in contact with the superior surface of the meniscus 700, as shown in FIG. 27. At this time, the device 100, and especially the starting position of its components, is as shown in FIGS. 241B-24D. Namely, as stated above, the end portion 142 b′″ of the actuator 142 is located proximal to the first anchor 190 and distal to the second anchor 1000 and a distal portion 200 b of the tube 200 is disposed over at least a portion of the second anchor 1000. The first portions 171 a, 172 a of the hub 170, and specifically the fronts (FIG. 22A, 171 a″,172 a″) of portions 171 a,172 a are aligned with the markings 300 d of the second portion 300 b. Similarly, as can be seen in FIG. 27, the front 300 a′ of the depth tube 300 is aligned with the markings 182 b″ of the needle 182. During repair, as the depth tube 300 is moved longitudinally along the needle 182, the fronts 171 a″, 172 a″, 300 a′ of the hub 170 and the depth tube 300 will continue to align with the markings 300 d, 182 b′″ such that the markings 300 d, 182 b′″ that the fronts 171 a″, 172 a″, 300 a′ are aligned with will be equivalent to each other. For example, when fronts 171 a″, 172 a″ are aligned with marking 300 d that corresponds to 1 mm, front 300 a′ is aligned marking 182 b′″ that corresponds with 1 mm.

Optionally, the depth tube 300 is disposed over the needle assembly 180 and, after insertion of the device 100 into the joint, the tube 300 is moved proximally, in a manner as described above, toward the knob 120 to uncover the distal end 182 b of the needle 182, and determine the appropriate needle insertion depth, which the laser marks 182 b′″, 300 d may be used for. In practice, enough of the needle 182 should be exposed to allow for insertion of the needle 182 through the meniscus and subsequent delivery of the anchor 190, but not so much that the needle 182 will extend into areas behind the meniscus, such as neurovascular areas, where it could cause damage.

In addition to the starting position of the beveled tip 182 b′ of the needle 182, the starting position of the disk 160 is shown in FIG. 24D. The disk 160 is located such that the protrusions 166 are located in slots 132 b, specifically region 132 b′, and the spikes 163 a of the protrusions 166 rest against stepped region 132 b′″.

Insertion of the end 182 b through the meniscus 700 occurs until the depth tube 300 prevents the needle 182 from being inserted any further or the user decides to discontinue insertion of the needle 182. The knob 120 is then moved distally over the hub 170 to deploy the first anchor 190, as shown in FIG. 28. At this time, the position of the pusher disk 160 is shown in FIG. 25. Specifically, movement of the knob 120 in a distal direction pushes the disk 160 out of slot 132 b. In addition, knob movement causes engagement to occur between spikes 163 a of disk 160 and spikes 121 e″ of rod 121 d″, thereby causing the disk 160 to partially rotate. After deployment of the first anchor 190, the knob 120 is moved proximally toward the handle 110. Upon movement of the knob 120 in a proximal direction, the protrusions 166 of the knob 120 engage the rails 139, which cause another partial rotation of the disk 160, thereby locating the protrusions 166 in slots 132 c. Once the protrusions 166 are located in slots 132 c, the disk 160 continues to move in the proximal direction until the head 122 of the knob 120 rests against the handle 110, as shown in FIG. 26A. FIG. 26A also shows the back portion 163 of the disk 160 resting against the face 121 e′ of the rod 121 d″. As shown in FIG. 26B, when the disk 160 is positioned as shown in FIG. 26A, the end portion 142 b′″ of the actuator 142 is located proximal to the second anchor 1000.

Once the first anchor 190 has been deployed, the needle 182 is removed from the meniscus 700 and re-inserted across the tear 701, as shown in FIG. 29. The knob 120 is, once again, moved distally over the hub 170 to deploy the second anchor 1000. Specifically, when the end portion 142 b′″ of the actuator 142 is located proximal to the second anchor 1000, the end portion 142 b′″ is flipped upward, as shown in FIG. 26B, which allows the end portion 142 b′″ to engage the anchor 1000 and be inserted into the slot 1000 b upon movement of the knob 120 in a distal direction. Further movement of the actuator 142 pushes the anchor 1000 out of the needle 182. In addition, knob movement in a distal direction causes the disk 160 to be dispelled from the slot 132 b, thereby causing the disk 160 to partially rotate. After deployment of the second anchor 1000, the knob 120 is moved proximally toward the handle 110. Upon movement of the knob 120 in a proximal direction, the protrusions 166 of the disk 160 engage the rails 139, which cause another partial rotation of the disk 160, thereby locating the protrusions 166 in slots 132 b. Once the protrusions 166 are located in slots 132 b, the disk 160 continues to move in the proximal direction until the spikes 163 a of the protrusions 166, once again, rest against stepped region 132 b′″, as shown in FIG. 24D.

The device 10 is subsequently removed from the knee joint and the free end 502 is pulled in the direction of arrow 600. This shortens the length of suture between anchors 190,1000, bringing sides of tear 701 into juxtaposition, as shown in FIG. 30. Depending on the length of suture between anchors 190,1000, the slip knot 501 will either be on the tissue surface or move within the tissue 700. Slip knot 501 allows the suture 500 to slide in the direction of arrow 601, but does not allow the suture 500 to slide in the opposite direction 600. The tension placed on suture 500 by pulling on the suture 500 relative to anchors 190,1000 acts to turn the anchors 190,1000 such that their long sides are in contact with tissue surface. Excess suture 500 can then be cut off. Further manipulation of suture 500 is not needed to secure anchors 190,1000, although the surgeon may wish to provide additional fastening as a back-up securement measure.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the needle 182, rod 181, actuator 142, and spring 150 are of a biocompatible metal material, such as stainless steel, but may be made from a non-metal material. All of the other components are made from a non-metal material. The anchors 190,1000 and suture 500 are of a polymer material, which may or may not be an absorbable polymer material. The actuator 142 may be coupled to the shaft 141 and the needle 182 may be coupled to the rod. 181 via mechanical means, adhesive means, such as a non-toxic, biocompatible, adhesive glue, or other means known to one of skill in the art. The device 100 and its components are all made via a method known to one of skill in the art, including, but not limited to injection molding.

As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of repairing tissue, the method comprising: selecting a tissue repair device comprising a handle comprising a cannula coupled to the handle, a spring-loaded pusher housed within the handle, the pusher configured to push an actuator disposed within the cannula for delivery of a flexible member to secure the tissue, a first anchor coupled to the flexible member, a knot disposed in the flexible member that is coupled to a second anchor, wherein at least one of the first anchor or second anchor comprises an elongate body having a side including a substantially flat portion for contacting a surface of the tissue, the side of sufficient length and rigidity to resist a tissue securing force applied by the flexible member directed through the tissue in response to tightening of the knot below the tissue surface, and a proximal end configured for releasable mating with a distal end of the actuator; delivering the first anchor and the second anchor to respective positions on the tissue surface on opposite sides of a tear in the tissue by releasably mating the distal end of the actuator to the respective proximal end of the first anchor, pushing the releasably mated first anchor with the actuator through the cannula through the tissue, and expelling the first anchor from the cannula, and repeating the mating, pushing and expelling steps with respect to the second anchor; and tightening the knot below the tissue surface, thereby applying a securing force through the flexible member that is resisted by the first anchor and the second anchor such that the tear in the tissue is pulled closed.
 2. A method of repairing tissue, the method comprising: selecting a tissue repair device comprising a handle comprising a cannula coupled to the handle, a spring-loaded pusher housed within the handle, the pusher configured to push an actuator disposed within the cannula for delivery of a flexible member to secure the tissue, a first anchor coupled to the flexible member, a knot disposed in the flexible member that is coupled to a second anchor, wherein at least one of the first anchor or second anchor comprises an elongate body having a side including a substantially flat portion for contacting a surface of the tissue to resist a tissue securing force applied by the flexible member directed through the tissue in response to tightening of the knot below the tissue surface, and a proximal end configured for releasable mating with a distal end of the actuator; delivering the first anchor and the second anchor to respective positions on the tissue surface by releasably mating the distal end of the actuator to the respective proximal end of the first anchor, pushing the releasably mated first anchor with the actuator through the cannula through the tissue, expelling the first anchor from the cannula, removing the cannula from the tissue and re-inserting the cannula across the tear, and repeating the mating, pushing and expelling steps with respect to the second anchor from the cannula; and tightening the knot below the tissue surface, thereby applying a securing force through the flexible member that is resisted by the first anchor and the second anchor such that the tear in the tissue is pulled closed.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising initiating the delivery of the flexible member with a user-moveable device.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the tissue repair device further comprises one of a knob and a slider coupled to the user-movable device.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the tissue repair device further comprises a hub for retaining the actuator.
 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising limiting the insertion depth of the cannula into the tissue with a depth indicator configured to couple with the cannula.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein the cannula comprises a distal tip configured for insertion into the tissue.
 8. The method of claim 2, wherein the cannula retains the first anchor and the second anchor.
 9. The method of claim 2, further comprising controlling the motion of the pusher via a user-movable device. 